Maine cedes health exchange set-up to feds

Friday

Nov 16, 2012 at 10:30 AM

Maine governor decides to let federal government set up state's health insurance exchange

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage has decided to let the federal government set up a health insurance exchange, rather than have the state design the program that's part of the national Affordable Care Act.

In a letter Thursday to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, LePage says the law calling for exchanges has severe legal problems, is bad policy, and overreaches into the lives and pocketbooks of Americans.

Exchanges are online marketplaces where consumers can shop for insurance, compare prices and determine which policy fits best. The health care law says states must decide whether to set up exchanges, or let the federal government step in to do it for them.

Friday's original deadline for states to declare their intentions has been extended to Dec. 14.

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